Effects of organizational development practices on the effectiveness of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Rwanda

Yannick Niyireba

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.69

Authors

Yannick Niyireba University of Rwanda Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7515-8469

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.69

Keywords:

Effectiveness, Impact, Leadership, Local NGOs, Organizational Development, Performance Management

Abstract

The effect of Organizational Development (OD) practices on the effectiveness of local non-governmental organizations [NGOs] in Rwanda was investigated in this study guided by Open Systems and the Extended General Model of Planned Change. It sought to determine the levels of organizational effectiveness and OD practices, analyze the relationships between the two, and predict the effect of OD interventions on NGO effectiveness. Targeting 1,399 registered local NGOs, a stratified random sample of 302 respondents was used in a descriptive study methodology to assure representation across organizational size, sector, and geography. Structured surveys were used to gather primary data, and reports and organizational papers served as secondary sources of context. Regression analysis studied how OD practices affected performance results, correlation analysis looked at relationships between OD and organizational effectiveness, and descriptive statistics measured the extent of OD practice implementation. The results indicate that local NGOs use OD techniques, including performance management, leadership development, and strategic planning, to a moderate level, and that such practices have a high positive correlation with organizational effectiveness. While weaknesses in external relations and operational procedures limited wider OD outcomes, effective management, human resource systems, and the integration of cross-cutting themes emerged as the most important variables. The study comes to the conclusion that improving NGO capacity, adaptability, and long-term performance requires organized and contextually appropriate OD interventions. Strengthening human resource management, integrating cross-cutting themes into organizational procedures, and carrying out comparative or longitudinal research to assess the long-term and context-specific impacts of OD practices are among the recommendations.

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